12 detailed answers about Austrian motorway vignettes.
An Austrian motorway vignette (Autobahnvignette) is a toll pass that allows vehicles to use Austrian motorways (Autobahnen) and expressways (Schnellstraßen). Since 2023, the vignette is entirely digital — it is linked to your vehicle's registration number and stored in the ASFINAG database. There is no physical sticker to attach to your windscreen for new purchases. The legal basis is the Bundesstraßen-Mautgesetz 2002 (BStMG).
All motor vehicles with a maximum permissible weight of up to 3.5 tonnes that use Austrian motorways or expressways require a vignette. This includes passenger cars, motorcycles, campervans under 3.5t, and light commercial vehicles. Vehicles over 3.5t use the GO-Box electronic toll system instead. Emergency vehicles, vehicles of diplomatic missions, and certain other categories are exempt — see the full exemption list on the ASFINAG website.
Three types are available for passenger cars and motorcycles: (1) 10-day vignette — valid for 10 consecutive days from the chosen start date; (2) 2-month vignette — valid for 2 calendar months from the chosen start date; (3) Annual vignette — valid from 1 December of the previous year to 31 January of the following year (approximately 14 months). The annual vignette offers the best value for frequent users.
2025 prices set by ASFINAG: 10-day vignette: €10.90 (car), €5.80 (motorcycle); 2-month vignette: €29.00 (car), €14.50 (motorcycle); Annual vignette: €103.80 (car), €38.20 (motorcycle). Prices for larger vehicles (Category 2) are higher. These prices are set annually by ASFINAG and are subject to change. Always verify current prices at asfinag.at before purchase.
Austrian vignettes can be purchased through: (1) ASFINAG Online Shop (shop.asfinag.at) — digital vignette, available 24/7; (2) Petrol stations throughout Austria and at major border crossings; (3) Post offices (Österreichische Post); (4) ÖAMTC and ARBÖ motoring club offices; (5) Some border crossing points. The ASFINAG online shop is the recommended channel for advance purchase as it provides immediate digital registration.
When purchasing a digital vignette online, you can select a start date up to 18 days in the future. This means you can buy your vignette in advance. The vignette is not valid before the start date you selected. There is no separate 'activation' step — the vignette becomes valid automatically on the start date. If you need to use the motorway immediately, select today's date as the start date.
No. The vignette covers Austrian motorways (Autobahnen, designated A) and expressways (Schnellstraßen, designated S). It does not cover: federal roads (Bundesstraßen B), state roads (Landesstraßen L), or special toll roads. Several major routes require a separate toll in addition to the vignette: Brenner Motorway (A13), Tauern Motorway (A10 Salzburg–Villach section), Gleinalm Tunnel (A9), Klaus Tunnel (A9), Arlberg Tunnel (S16), and Karawanken Tunnel (A11).
Driving on Austrian motorways without a valid vignette is an administrative offence under the BStMG. Enforcement is primarily automated via cameras that read licence plates and check them against the ASFINAG database. If caught, you face: (1) On-the-spot fine of €120, plus the cost of the required vignette; (2) If not paid on the spot, an administrative penalty of up to €3,000. Foreign-registered vehicles may be required to pay immediately. Persistent offenders may face vehicle immobilisation.
Many, but not all, rental cars in Austria include a valid vignette. This depends on the rental company and the specific vehicle. You must confirm with your rental company before driving on Austrian motorways. Do not assume a vignette is included. If the rental car does not have a valid vignette and you drive on a motorway, you are liable for the fine — not the rental company.
You can verify that your digital vignette is correctly registered by visiting the ASFINAG website (asfinag.at) and using the vignette check tool. Enter your vehicle registration number to confirm the vignette status. It is recommended to do this check at least 24 hours before your planned travel, to allow time to resolve any issues. Keep your purchase confirmation email as proof of purchase.
ASFINAG does not offer refunds for unused vignettes. Once purchased, a vignette cannot be cancelled or refunded, regardless of whether it was used. This applies to all vignette types (10-day, 2-month, and annual). If you purchased a vignette with an incorrect registration number, contact ASFINAG customer service immediately — they may be able to correct the registration in some circumstances.
The Austrian annual vignette has an unusual validity period: it is valid from 1 December of the year before the calendar year shown on the vignette, until 31 January of the year after. For example, the 2025 annual vignette is valid from 1 December 2024 to 31 January 2026 — a total of approximately 14 months. This means you can start using the next year's annual vignette from 1 December, before the new year begins.